The Biblio-Commuter

The man’s briefcase lies across his legs like a desk and he rests his elbows on it. The U-Bahn stops, but he does not. He inhales, sits up straight, leans in to read the final page of a massive book. At the conclusion, he smiles to himself with delight and closes the copy. He holds the front and back covers in his palms for a moment–a prayer of gratitude.

Then eagerly, but cautiously, he unclicks the latches of his case. He slides the completed book in and removes a green hardback still encased in cellophane. Without breaking his gaze from the new book, he uncovers it, crumpling the wrapper and sliding it as quietly as possible into the briefcase. He readies his desk and brushes the new book’s cover. Still several stops from home, he prepares for the first scene.